Vatican Logistics: Pope Leo's South American Tour Will Cost 36 Speeches and 12 Flights

Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, to begin a 12-day itinerary that requires 12 flights and 36 public speeches across three countries. The itinerary includes two helicopter rides and a stop in Cusco, Peru, which sits more than 11,000 feet above sea level. At that elevation, travelers often require supplemental oxygen due to the thin air.

The journey marks Leo's first major overseas trip since he underwent surgery last month to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Vatican officials confirm he has completed his two-week recovery period and requires no further treatment. Maria Montserrat Alvar, the Vatican's communications chief, stated that his doctors are confident in his health. She noted that the pontiff will have medical care on board his aircraft should any issues arise during the transit.

The selection of Uruguay as the first destination contrasts with Leo's previous two decades in Peru. Uruguay has a population of roughly 3.5 million and is considered the most secular nation in Latin America. Only about one-third of Uruguayans identify as Catholic, and fewer practice the faith. Mariana Pomiés, director of the polling firm CIFRA, noted that state neutrality in religious matters has become an absolute in the region. Alvar defended the choice by stating that the Gospel is meant to go everywhere.

Leo's schedule in Montevideo includes a welcome ceremony with President Yamandú Orsi and evening prayers. A proposed address to the parliament was withdrawn after public criticism. On Sunday, Leo will travel to Florida, a town about an hour from the capital, to celebrate mass. The town hosts annual commemorations for the Virgin of the Thirty-five on November 8.

The tour moves to Argentina by Sunday, a return the late Pope Francis had hoped to make. Leo's visit coincides with rising tensions between the Church and right-wing populist leaders. President Javier Milei has pushed austerity measures that have increased poverty, while Leo has advocated for the poor. The two leaders also hold differing views on artificial intelligence, with Leo calling for ethical safeguards in his inaugural encyclical.

The trip concludes in Peru, where Leo lived for 20 years and became a naturalized citizen in 2015. He will meet with President Keiko Fujimori and visit cities where he previously served as a bishop. The schedule reflects a long, physically demanding route that tests the pontiff's post-surgical recovery while addressing political and religious dynamics across the continent.